Wise investment or a money pit?
Some cars just get you from point A to point B until they break down or get traded in. But then there are vehicles that transcend mere utility, becoming rolling works of art or pieces of automotive history. Others are legendary for refusing to die, like one iconic Lexus.
In a viral video, Ronnie (@ronnie_motors) makes his pitch for what he considers the ultimate forever vehicle: a 2007 Lexus LX 470.
“You want something to last forever? Here we go,” Ronnie says in the video as he walks toward a pristine white Lexus SUV. “You want something to drive, take it everywhere, off-roading? Here we go: 2007, super clean.”
He opens the door to reveal the leather interior, panning the camera across the dashboard and seats. “Let me show you from the inside. Can’t go wrong with that car,” he continues.
Ronnie highlights one of the SUV’s family-friendly features, the rear entertainment system mounted in the headrests. “You got the entertaining system for the kids so they don’t bug you on the way for a road trip,” he explains.
In a comment, he shared that the car is listed for $18,599.
Not every old car is a classic. According to Family Handyman, a true classic has a “historical past, distinctive styling, or is considered a collectible due to distinctive design, craftsmanship, rarity and or age.”
At 19 years old, the 2007 LX 470 sits in that gray area between “old car” and “classic.” Progressive reports that collector cars had an average annualized return of 4.6% from 2018-2023. But that depends heavily on which models you choose. Cars that are well-maintained, properly documented, and rare tend to hold their value best.
So what are the pros and cons of buying a luxury classic car?
Classic cars are significantly more dangerous than modern vehicles. Hillbank cites a study showing vehicles built before 1970 carried a 6.7 times higher fatality risk in crashes and a 9.5 times higher risk in rollovers.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that the average 2012 vehicle had a 56% lower fatality risk compared to vehicles from the late 1950s. Between 1960 and 2012, vehicle safety developments helped save over 600,000 lives.
Many classics lack:
If you plan to drive with passengers, especially children, this safety gap may outweigh all other advantages. But if you’re in the market for a conversation piece that turns heads everywhere you go, a classic might be just the ticket.
Motor1 reached out to Ronnie for comment via email and TikTok direct message. We’ll update this article if he replies.
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– The Motor1.com Team